Russian & Soviet Composers - Part 3

[mballan]

Especially for Jonathan.....and one of my favourite of all Russian composers, Leonid Nikolayev (1878-1942). I have posted several scores by Nikloayev to date [Op 7 Barcarolle, Op 13 Suite, Op 14 Variations and Op 15 Sonata - available in the Archive section], and Alfor has posted the Gavotte and wonderful Op 11 Violin Sonata. Here are two rarities - the scintillating Op 19 Tarantelle and stately Fugue in Db major.

Malcolm

Op 19 Tarantelle

Nikolayev L - Op 19 Tarantelle.pdf

Fugue in Db major

Nikolayev L - Fugue in Db major.pdf

[fleubis]

Malc, I really like Nikolayev's Tarantelle--it's a real showpiece and sounds really well. Time for me to play thru his music again of this wonderful composer.

[Dani_area_51]

Thank you Malcolm! I've been waiting for the return of the Soviets so much

[alfor]

Thanky seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

[fleubis]

Thanks seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

Alfor, you bring up an interesting point! I really didn't know of any really good Tarantellas until this one appeared. It seems to be a dance form that few composers have seen fit to address properly.

[Timtin]

Thanks seconded! Looks like a very nice Tarantella! Btw I do not know, why Tarantellas are in many cases rather weak works - Chopin, Heller, etc..

Alfor, you bring up an interesting point! I really didn't know of any really good Tarantellas until this one appeared.

What about:-

Balakirev Tarantella in B major (1901).
Liszt Soirees Musicales (Rossini-Liszt) S.424: La Danza (Tarantella Napolitana).
Liszt Tarantella, S.162 No.3 (from Venezia e Napoli).
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 (Italian) Op.90, last movement.
Rachmaninov Suite No.2 for 2 Pianos Op.17, last movement.
Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 Op.22, last movement.
Schubert Piano Sonata in C minor D958, last movement.
Etc., etc.

All these works seem very strong and really good to me!
(Sometimes I think we get so focussed here on obscure music that we forget
the famous stuff.)

If tarantellas are generally regarded as weak, can't a similar argument be made
for various other forms of dance music also?

[Caprotti]

Seconded ! Regarding Chopin's op.43, may be it's a work less important than other more famous Chopin masterworks, but it's a masterwork when compared to other composers' tarantellas !! Listen to Cortot's recording !

[rob]

...
Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 (Italian) Op.90, last movement.
...

No it's a Saltarello: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltarello

[fredbucket]

What about:-

Weber, Sonata #4 Op.70, last movement
Gottschalk, Grande Tarantella
Rossini, La Danza...

Regards
Fred

[Timtin]

I may have unwittingly muddied the waters of my original argument by citing
the finale of Mendelssohn's 4th. Symphony as a Tarantella, when in fact it's
a Saltarello in tarantella form. (If we're splitting hairs, then the finale of Schubert's
C minor Piano Sonata might also be more accurately described as a Rondo in
tarantella form.) Apologies for the confusion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantella